My Christmas Memories
When I was a child in Germany
we celebrated Christmas in the evening 24th December.
Dad would get a real tree in the morning and we were allowed to help
decorating it with our handmade decorations
like paperchains, straw stars and lanterns etc.
We made candle holders out of walnut shells.
Then we were sent out the room for a while.
We had to listen for a little bell.
Once we heard the bell we went into the room with anticipation.
The tree was lit (with real candles) presents under or next to the tree.
We did not open presents then.
Mum sat at the piano and played Christmas carols, we sang to it.
Then us children played Christmas carols on the recorder with my mum.
It was a wonderful happy, warm and peaceful feeling.
Then a record was put on with the Christmas story and a choir singing carols,
only then we started to open presents.
Everyone was happy, Dad watching the tree carefully with the candles.
We loved to blow them all out.
After all this Mum served a lovely small dinner with filled Vol-au vents,
and home baked Christmas cookies.
We spent a happy family evening together.
Always a magical Christmas for us, a special time,
and I remember it fondly filled with so much love.
Christmas tree 1969
Christmas Tree 1983
